Red Dead Redemption 2‘s already tragic ending can be made even sadder when players complete the Veteran Stranger Mission. As Arthur Morgan’s story progresses, players can unlock more unique encounters with quest givers called ‘Strangers’ throughout the wilderness. Sometimes these characters activate collectibles or feature a fantastic tale that further develops RDR2′s immersive open world. Unfortunately, some Stranger Missions can have tragic ends if players wait too long to complete them or complete them too early. For instance, the Veteran mission has the power to make Arthur Morgan’s already tragic death far more heartbreaking by introducing a horse – even if it also provides some of RDR2‘s more heartwarming encounters up to that point.
Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place in 1899 as the Old West is coming to an end. Players control Arthur Morgan, the right-hand gunman of Dutch Van der Linde, the Van der Linde gang leader. Players rob and murder their way through the Wild West in search of profit to support their gang but very quickly find the odds stacked against them. As players navigate the states of Lemoyne and New Hannover, they can encounter many characters in need of assistance or companionship, usually appearing in the form of Stranger Missions.
Red Dead Redemption 2‘s Honor system allows players to create Arthur Morgan’s legacy through his actions. While the outlaw is still wanted for his crimes, higher Honor levels prevent law enforcement from interrupting or outright attacking players as they go about their business. One honorable action Arthur Morgan can take is assisting Hamish Sinclair with several tasks in his isolated lakeside home. Unfortunately, the tranquil setting and kind gestures don’t last in RDR2‘s harsh world, which makes completing The Veteran as Arthur Morgan even more tragic.
The Veteran Stranger Mission Is RDR2’s Most Meaningful
The Veteran Stranger Mission in Red Dead Redemption 2 begins when players travel to the East Grizzlies and locate Hamish Sinclair stranded without a leg. He’ll explain that his horse, Buell, bucked him off and bolted with his wooden leg. Players that wish to complete this quest can also gain Honor in Red Dead Redemption 2 by hunting Buell down, calming him, and bringing him back to Hamish’s side. The old veteran guides Arthur back to his house and invites him to fish, sparking some heartfelt conversations and an entertaining pastime for players to enjoy. The Veteran side quest continues largely the same, with Arthur Morgan returning to the lakeside property and continuing to help the veteran with various tasks and mishaps.
Unfortunately, like most quests and characters in Red Dead Redemption 2, The Veteran Stranger Mission has a tragic end. While hunting for a wild boar, Hamish Sinclair is skewered by a tusk and mortally wounded. Arthur stays with Hamish until he dies and receives one final request from his companion: take care of Buell. Despite the complaints Hamish had concerning Buell’s behavior during RDR2‘s open-world Stranger Mission, it’s clear the veteran cared deeply for the creature. Hamish’s last request also cements the man’s selfless nature, as his concern for others overshadows any personal glory or tradition he might have desired instead.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s Hamish Gives Players Buell
By giving Arthur Morgan Buell, Hamish Sinclair provides players with a tangible reminder of their time together and the many experiences they shared. The horse also serves as a plot device for those who understand the significance of Buell’s introduction. Not only does Buell represent the beginning and end of Hamish’s time with Arthur, but chances are players will encounter both characters near Red Dead Redemption 2′s end. By Chapter 6, Arthur Morgan has embraced his terminal illness and does his best to save those around him while understanding that he cannot save himself. Buell’s passing from one dying rider to the next is a perfectly tragic summary of the time’s constant march, with the minor details in the world becoming more important as it continues. Additionally, Buell becomes a tragic form of character development for Arthur Morgan once he transitions into his care.
Arthur Morgan is shown to be quite fond of his horses, reminiscing about his former mare, Boadicea, who died during the Blackwater Incident. Additionally, whether players choose to make Arthur Morgan Honorable or Dishonorable, the outlaw inevitably ends up bonding with his horses. Running around the Wild West on foot is highly time-consuming, and Red Dead Redemption 2‘s map is so large that players have to rely on keeping their horses fast, strong, and healthy to make any progress. Arthur’s ability to calm Buell and bond with him, despite not being his original rider, is a testament to how deeply his love for these animals runs. However, a scene during Red Dead Redemption 2‘s ending shows that love in tragic circumstances, making the RDR2 story and The Veteran Stranger Mission far more heartbreaking.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s Ending Kills Arthur And Buell
As many players know by now, Red Dead Redemption 2 ends with Arthur Morgan’s death either at the hands of Micah Bell or his tuberculosis. However, the game’s ending comes with another heartbreaking death: the brutal demise of whatever horse Arthur is currently riding. Players who took their oath to Hamish Sinclair seriously and rode Buell into the game’s final Chapter must witness Buell’s heartbreaking death. As Arthur soothes Buell in his last moments, players are reminded of how the outlaw similarly comforted Hamish Sinclair as he died.
Buell is one of the few horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 with a story attached to him, which says a lot considering RDR2 has many horses to collect and interact with. Since The Veteran mission appears in Chapter 6, when Arthur Morgan’s health has begun to decline, and the Van der Linde gang is steadily splintering, Hamish Sinclair and Buell offer a much-needed escape from the dread that follows the game’s conclusion. Buell represents a link to one of the last positive relationships Arthur Morgan forged in his life, with the horse’s death foreshadowing Arthur’s inevitable death. Without a horse to escape on or support from the gang, Arthur Morgan is left to die on the mountaintop.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to save Buell once players complete RDR2‘s best Stranger Mission as Arthur Morgan. Leaving horses stabled at the game’s last main story mission results in their swift disappearance once the Epilogue starts. The only way to ensure Buell stays alive and well is by beginning The Veteran sidequest as John Marston and leaving Arthur to finish other available quests and collectibles, but that will mean he misses out on a valuable interaction. Red Dead Redemption 2 features many Stranger Missions that help develop the game’s world and characters outside the central conflict, giving players a more personal look at Arthur Morgan and John Marston.
